What practical difference is there between 12MP and 18MP cameras?
Asked 3/17/2011
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I’m buying a digital camera and one model lists “Effective pixels: approx. 18.0 megapixels.” How does that compare with a 12.0 megapixel camera in real-world use? Will 18MP noticeably improve image quality, prints, or cropping?
Originally by user4346. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4346
15y ago
2 Answers
16
That means 22.5% more pixels in each direction.
5196 x 3464 instead of 4242 x 2828. (The megapixel value is of course rounded, so the exact resolution varies between cameras.)
If the cameras are otherwise comparable, you get more details with highter resolution. However, 12 megapixel is good enough for most uses. If you for example make 4" x 6" prints, you can't see the difference between 12 megapixel and 18 megapixel. If you enlarge a part of the image, the higher resolution will allow you to enlarge it more.
Originally by user149. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user149
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
An 18MP camera records 50% more total pixels than 12MP, but the increase in image dimensions is smaller: about 22.5% more in each direction.
In practice, that means:
- 18MP can capture a bit more fine detail
- it gives you more room to crop
- it can help for larger prints or heavy retouching
But megapixels alone don’t determine image quality. Lens quality, camera technique, focus, stability, and sensor performance often matter more. On many cameras, especially with typical lenses and handheld shooting, 12MP is already enough that the sensor is not the main limit.
For common print sizes like 4x6, you’re unlikely to see a visible difference between 12MP and 18MP. The extra resolution becomes more useful if you regularly crop, print larger, use very sharp lenses, or shoot from a tripod where the camera can fully take advantage of the added resolution.
So: 18MP is better on paper and can be useful, but 12MP is sufficient for most everyday photography.
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